1477 PNEUMOCARDIOGRAMS OF PREMATURE INFANTS AT DISCHARGE

Abstract

Pneumocardiograms (PCG) are utilized in many hospitals to decide which premature infants are to be discharged on monitors. This is done despite the fact that PCGs have not been shown to be predictive, and no normal PCG values have been established in this population. With these problems in mind, a population of premature infants was studied over a 365-day period just prior to their discharge from a Level III Perinatal Center. The only premature infants excluded were those who did not tolerate weaning from theophylline. None of the 140 subjects were on theophylline at the time of their recordings. Analysis was performed by a computer system (Pediatric Diagnostic Service). The mean gestational age for the patients was 32.8 wks (range:26-36) as determined by modified Dubowitz examination. The mean birth weight was 1740 Gm (range:580-2940). The mean postconceptual age (PCA) at the time of recording was 37.1 wks. Preliminary data analysis has revealed a mean total periodic breathing (PB) of 18.3 min, representing a mean 3.04% of sleep time (ST) for the entire population. The mean apnea density (AD₆) was 1.29%. No significant differences were noted in the mean heart rate, respiratory rate, AD₆, total PB, and ST in infants >36 wks PCA vs infants ≤36 wks PCA. At all PCAs, no significant differences were found in those same parameters between males and females. Bradycardias (<80 BPM) occurred in 23 infants. Eleven children had apneic episodes >15 seconds; none had apnea ≥20 seconds.

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